Sunday, 9 February 2014

Comic books seem to be the main source of inspiration in television right now (blame The Walking Dead), so it's no surprise that DC are attempting to bring Brian Wood's 72-issue comic DMZ to life on Syfy. This story was set in a near-future New York City embroiled in a second American Civil War between the United States of America and the Free States of America, which has resulted in Manhattan becoming a demilitarised zone. DMZ will focus on a photo journalist who finds himself trapped in the DMZ, becoming both a celebrity and target thanks to his reporting. Andre and Maria Jacquemetton (Mad Men) are writing the pilot, with David Heyman (Harry Potter, Gravity) producing alongside Jeffrey Clifford (Up in the Air). [via ScreenRant]

Southland actor Ben McKenzie (above-left) has been cast as Detective James Gordon, lead of Fox's new Batman prequel GOTHAM. I'm not aware of his work and he doesn't have a "Commissioner Gordon" look to me (i.e. he doesn't have a moustache)... so is this good news, Southland fans? [via EW]

It's no surprise the BBC have decided to recommission THE MUSKETEERS for a second series, as it launched with 9.3m viewers and has settled on around 6.3m. The only uncertainty was the absence of Peter Capaldi as the novel's key villain, meaning writer Adrian Hodges would have to alter his plans rather aggressively. I haven't been watching the show because I just don't need it in my life, or have that much time for it, but I presume fans are happy. [via DigitalSpy]

It was recently suggested, very strongly, that AMC were looking to bring comic-book PREACHER to television (with This Is The End's Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg attached as producers). It's now become official this is happening, with Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad) as the showrunner. AMC have started developing the supernatural tale of a Texan preacher (with the verbal ability to impose his will on others), going on a road trip with his sharp-shooting girlfriend and an Irish vampire, to find God. The comic-book's co-creator, Garth Ennis, also released this statement, giving the AMC project his blessing:

"Steve Dillon and I are very happy to see Preacher being developed for TV, which seems a much more natural home for the story than a 2-hour movie. Between them, Sony TV and AMC have brought viewers two of my favourite shows with Breaking Bad and Mad Men, and it’s exactly that kind of creative commitment and courage that Preacher needs. Obviously it’s taken a while, but Ken Levin along with Neal Moritz and his team refused to give up, long after the point when I myself grew sceptical, and their unrelenting enthusiasm for the project has gotten us where we need to be. I’m particularly impressed that Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Sam Catlin understand Preacher fully — meaning they get it for what it is, not some vague approximation. All in all, it looks like Preacher can now be brought to TV in a way that I’d previously not have thought possible, and I very much appreciate that Steve and I have been included in the conversation in the way that we have." [via EW]